This case gives us an opportunity to pull together
many of our tools to examine the overall strategy of an extremely
successful company. For this class discussion, let's also draw
on the information about Microsoft contained in last week's case:
Living on Internet Time.

Study questions:

1. In general, where would you position Microsoft
products on the Newness Map? The Opportunity Risk Map?

2. On the Product Life Cycle, what is a typical
entry-point strategy for Microsoft: pioneer, follow-the-leader,
segmenter, or me-too?

3. In a nutshell, our definition of strategy is:
A company's objectives and the policies and the means to meet
those objectives. Using that framework, how would you describe
Microsoft's overall strategy?

4. What are Microsoft's core competencies?

5. Review our discussion of Microsoft's development
model from last week's case: Living on Internet
Time.

6. In your case packet, The Job of a General
Manager describes seven components of a general manager's
job. On which components does Bill Gates focus his time? What
are Bill's strengths and weaknesses?